Mary took a breath and walked quickly and confidently to the reception desk. If there was one thing she'd learned in life, it was that money talks.

Mary: "Hi, I have a bill I'd like to pay."

The receptionist smiled at her.

Receptionist: "I can help you with that! What's the name?"
Mary: "Marion McMally."
Receptionist: "Just let me just pull you up on the computer…"

Mary: "Excellent. Say, when are visiting hours? There was another patient I was hoping to see while I was here."
Receptionist: "They're all over for tonight, but who are you looking for? Different departments have different hours."
Mary: "Oh, she was in my area. Coma."

The receptionist raised an eyebrow, though her eyes never left the computer monitor.

Mary: "I like to talk, she was a great captive audience. They say coma patients can hear you, and I really felt like I was getting through to her."
Receptionist: "Mmmhmm… Marion J. McMally?"
Mary: "Yes."
Receptionist: "It looks like you've already paid this bill."
Mary: "I know, it's on a payment plan. But I'd like to pay ahead a little."
Receptionist: "No, I mean it's paid in full. It looks like a Mr. James Selwyn paid it?"

Mary froze, letting this news sink in.

Mary: Oh. Okay. Thanks anyway.

She turned around and walked away slowly, before remembering her real purpose for being at the hospital.

Mary: "Shit!"

She turned abruptly back toward the receptionist's desk, and ran into someone very solid.

Dr. Sutherland: "Mary! It's good to see you up and about, I hope you aren't feeling sick again?"

Mary looked up at Dr. Sutherland. He looked genuinely concerned… and there was something else. Mary noticed his pupils dilate when she met his eye. That only happened for two reasons - either he was about to attack her, or he thought she was pretty. She paused a moment. There was no attack. Mary smiled up at him.

Mary: "No, I feel fantastic. Thanks to you of course!"
Dr. Sutherland: "Good, I'm glad. So what brings you back to our fine establishment?"
Mary: "Actually, I was hoping to talk to you. Do you have a minute?"

Dr. Sutherland: "As a matter of fact, I just so happen to have a lunch break coming up. Would you like to join me for some cafeteria food?"
Mary: "Fabulous. So you work midnights, I take it?"
Dr. Sutherland: "We rotate, but yes, I'm one of the vampires this quarter."

Mary: "I have a stake! I mean, just so you know."
Dr. Sutherland: "The cafeteria only does steaks on Friday, unfortunately. I think today is some sort of baked chicken. Extra dry. A fine year, I'm sure."

Mary shook her head and smiled, then followed Dr. Sutherland along the yellow line painted on the floor that lead to the cafeteria.